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From New York to California, and in various states in-between, 91Ӱ���ƽ�� Family is taking the lead in Fourth of July events.

In May 2025, 91Ӱ���ƽ��’s National Executive Committee passed , which urges posts and departments to work closely with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission – also known as America250 – in their states and U.S. territories to celebrate the nation’s 250^th birthday.

And 91Ӱ���ƽ�� Family answered the call. Nationwide, events scheduled on or around July 4 to celebrate the milestone are being coordinated by or will be participated in by the Legion Family. For example, American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley and Department of North Dakota Commander Jason Anderson will raise the U.S. flag as ceremonies begin for the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum on July 4 in Medora, N.D.

Earlier that day, more than 1,400 miles away, a group of American Legion Riders will depart Pittsburgh, Pa., at 6 a.m. to provide an escort to an American flag that will have traveled 26 countries, flying over the graves and memorials of U.S. heroes buried in cemeteries under the American Battle Monuments Commission’s care. It’s the final leg of Sojourn 250 and will end in the nation’s capital.

The following are some more examples of how American Legion Family members will lead or participate in their communities’ celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial.

A reminder: 91Ӱ���ƽ�� wants photos from your Legion Family activities around the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday. Those received will be considered for publication in American Legion media and social channels in July. The deadline for submission is Midnight Eastern Time on Tuesday, July 7.

Click  to upload your photos. Note that by sharing your files you are agreeing that they are your own original (not AI-generated) artwork, any subjects have consented to the use of their image, and you are granting 91Ӱ���ƽ�� usage rights to re-publish these images. Submission of entry does not guarantee publication.

And after your event takes place, please share your story and photos at  in the America 250 category.

Alabama

In Prattville, Immediate Past Department of Alabama Commander Willie J. Rogers will serve as grand marshal of the city’s Fourth of July Parade. A member of Post 122 in Prattville, Rogers was chosen for his 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, and his continued dedication to fellow veterans and the community.

“I am honored to have been selected as grand marshal for such a historic occasion,” . “It gives me an opportunity to tell people about 91Ӱ���ƽ�� because I’ll be wearing my hat, and they’ll learn about the work I do with the organization.

“I think one of the things that motivates veterans is the opportunity to help other veterans. That’s what 91Ӱ���ƽ�� is all about. We’re here to support veterans and their families. We have a responsibility to take care of veterans when they come home and make sure they know they belong.”

Arizona

In Mesa, James Witkowski Post 138 will host Jim Boomer’s 250 Year Anniversary Celebration on July 4. The event includes music, food and a fireworks display.

Arkansas

In Rison, American Legion Post 83 will host a Fourth of July Community Celebration on July at the Hall-Morgan Veterans Building. The event will include food, military displays and other activities.

California

In Newberry Springs, American Legion Post 751 is hosting its 50th Annual 4th of July Parade, celebrating “100 Years of Freedom on Route 66” and the nation’s 250^th birthday.  The parade will run along Route 66 and end at Post 751; the post will offer a $5 lunch following the parade.

Florida

In James City, American Legion Post 136 is sponsoring both a parade and fireworks on July 4 for the community.

Idaho

In Coeur d'Alene, Legionnaire and Korean War veteran Charles "Chuck" Riffel will serve as the 2026 Military Hero of the Year for Coeur d'Alene's annual American Heroes Parade on July 4. The 93-year-old Riffel is a longtime member of American Legion Post 14 in Coeur d'Alene.

"Chuck is the embodiment of a veteran," . "He is wise, kind, and has a terrific sense of humor. He is deeply involved in his community and has always encouraged others to strengthen and support our veteran organizations. Despite serving honorably during the Korean War, he remains incredibly humble about his service." 

Illinois

In Edwardsville, Post 199 will host a festival and fireworks on July 4. The event will include live musical performances, food and beverages, vendors, and an appearance by a Clydesdale horse.

Indiana

·       In Walkerton, American Legion Post 189 will have a major presence in the community’s July 4 events. In addition to co-sponsoring the Fourth of July parade, the post also is putting on a celebration of the nation’s 250^th birthday that will include lunch and dinner, a car show, a bounce house and dunk tank, face painting and a bonfire. The community also raised nearly $12,000 for a fireworks show after the town cancelled theirs because of a lack of volunteers. “We're a pretty tight knit community around here, and we enjoy our Fourth of July. And especially this year with our 250th anniversary, and everyone has came together and we're going to make it happen anyhow," . “I'm amazed at the support from the community that has come together and helped. We thought we would just join in and make it a good Fourth of July for the whole community of Walkerton.”

·       In Brownstown, Camp Jackson American Legion Post 112 is planning a special Fourth of July parade for this year titled “250 Years, the Story of Us.”

Iowa

·       In Council Bluffs, Rainbow Post 2 is partnering with city and business leaders for a family-oriented event downtown on July 3. The post’s American Legion Family is responsible for the Kid Zone, while the main area of the event will include live music and a drone show.. The main area will have a stage and live music, with a drone show as the grand finale.

·       In Cresco, American Legion Post 135 has conducted a flag placement program with a local Cub Scout pack, sold 250th-anniversary shirts, and plans a special event for July 4 that will include coloring and patriotic puzzle contests, a free pork loin lunch and evening parade. Following the parade, the post is inviting the public to stop by for ice cream and root beer floats.

Michigan

·       In Lansing at the State Capitol on July 8, American Legion Department of Michigan leadership will conduct a re-enactment of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Col. John Nixon, which occurred in Philadelphia’s State House Yard, to officially announce America’s independence.

·       In Flint, American Legion Post 64 is inviting the community to attend its July 4^th Freedom Rings event that will include local vendors, handcrafted goods and community booths in a farmer’s market atmosphere. Food trucks will be on site, as will activities for children that include face painting, a bounce house and other games designed just for them. The evening will end with music from a live DJ.

Missouri

In Centralia, American Legion Post 446 Junior Vice Commander Tammy Guidish will serve as the grand marshal of the Veterans Fourth of July Parade on July 4. Guidish served in the United States Air Force from 1992 to 1995 and continues to serve her nation both through her work with Post 446 and her involvement with other civic, patriotic and religious organizations.

New York

·       In Pelham, American Legion Post 50 and the Pelham Civic Association are teaming up to host the Pelham 250, a July 4 run to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and the Battle of Pelham, a pivotal battle in the American Revolution. The race will cover 2.5 miles and is open to both runners and walkers. “The post thought that we should have a special event this July 4th as part of our community’s celebration of the bravery shown in the Battle of Pelham,”  “Teaming up with the (Civic Association) made a lot of sense because they support our town and love to put on a race.”

·       In Rosedale, Rosedale-Laurelton Auxiliary Unit 483 will celebrate veterans and America’s 250th birthday with a comedy show and barbecue on July 12.

Texas

·       In Corpus Christi, American Legion Post 229 has organized Flags of Freedom, a patriotic display of 250 American flags along Park Road 22 during the week of Independence Day. 

·       In Haltom City, Donald N. Thompson Post 655 will celebrate America’s 250th birthday by leading the veteran-recognition portion of the North Tarrant Chamber of Commerce’s Family 4th Event on July 1, as well as by cooking 400 corn dogs for an eating competition. On July 4, the post will hosts its traditional all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, complete with red, white and blue pancakes.

Utah

In Ogden on July 4, a Veteran Patriotic Walk organized by American Legion Baker-Merrill Post 9 and featuring veterans from across Utah will travel Historic 25th Street from Washington Boulevard to Ogden Union Station, where a ceremony will take place to honor the return of the Merci Car. The car recently returned to the Utah State Railroad Museum at the Museums at Union Station last week following a two-year renovation in Wyoming.

The Merci Train was sent to the United States in 1949, with each car filled with gifts from France to be distributed to communities across each state. During the welcome ceremony and reception, several items from Utah’s Merci Car will be on display at Ogden Union Station for the public to see.

“We want veterans to be represented on the Fourth of July celebrating the birthday of our great nation,” . “We’re hoping for 250 veterans for the 250th birthday, but we will take as many as are willing to walk with us shoulder-to-shoulder.

“This was actually a recommendation by our national commander. He urged all American Legion posts to plan something special for the 250th birthday of our nation. I just want Ogden to be aware of how many veterans and I want them to recognize how patriotic we are.”

Wisconsin

·       In a first-time partnership with the City of Appleton, Appleton American Legion Post 38 will be hosting the Appleton fireworks show for this year’s Independence Day celebration on July 3. The event will include food, live music and the fireworks show.

·       In Green Lake, American Legion Post 306 is hosting a pancake breakfast ahead of the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s Light Up the Lake July 4 celebration.

·       In Oak Creek, American Legion Post 434 will host activities for the community following the city’s Independence Day Parade. The activities will include live music, entertainment, food, free ice cream and family fun.